In addition to its new DeckLink HD Extreme video capture card, Blackmagic Design on Monday also introduced its new Video Recorderdevice and Broadcast Videohub. The Video Recorder retails for US$119, while the Broadcast Videohub costs $14,995.
The Video Recorder is a USB 2.0-based video capture device that records video files in H.264 format, for playback on the iPod, iPhone, Apple TV, YouTube and Web. The company is offering two versions -- an analog unit for consumers, priced at $119, and an SDI-equipped version that will retail for $299. Both are expected to be released in mid-July.
The consumer-grade Video Recorder features analog component, NTSC, PAL and S-Video input. The device is about the size of a USB thumbdrive, and includes Blackmagic software to help manage the capture of video, scaling it to the target output device and cropping of video edges to help get rid of analog blanking, VHS switching marks and timecode artifacts.
The Serial Digital Interface (SDI) version is designed for video pros interested in ingesting standard definition video in H.264 format. It includes an RS-422 interface to manage broadcast deck control. Users with this version of the device can also use the software to enter in and out points for the deck they are capturing from.
At the other end of the spectrum is BlackMagic's new Broadcast Videohub. It's designed for postproduction studios looking for a large-scale SDI router. It includes 72 SDI inputs, 144 SDI outputs, 72 deck control ports, twin redundant power connections, SDI re-clocking and 3Gb/s SDI technology in an 8U chassis that's designed to fit into a standard equipment rack.
The device is designed to replace manual patch cables that can degrade SDI video signals and limit cable length. By re-clocking signals, the Videohub "cleans up" the signal so you can run longer cable length with less image degradation. All connections are grouped together to include an SDI input, SDI output, deck control port and SDI monitor output for each user.